Page:Life and surprising adventures of Sir William Wallace.pdf/18

 18 which that kingdom, with Ireland arid Wales; could raiſe, had gratified his no- bles reſpecting the priviliges for which they had long contended; and now their jealouſies being completely removed, they marched with him againſt the Scots with courage and alacrity. To oppoſe this formidable power, Wallace had not above thirty thouſand both horſe and foot; yet in that high ſtate of diſcipline which they had attained, and animated with that patriotic ardour which had long marked their conduct, they would doubte leſs have withſtood their enemies, had they been commanded by the guardian alone: but unfortunately, two men, of acknowledged bravery indeed, (but as were the greater part of the nobility and their immediate dependants, for the rea- ſons already noticed, his ſecret enemies), divided with him the command. In this poſition did they remain at Falkirk, eleven miles from Stirling, till the army of Edward appeared on the 22d day of July, after having reduced ſeveral caſtles, and penetrated thus far into the heart of the kingdom. And now was the time in which the animoſi- ties that unhapyily ſubſiſted between the commanders ſhould have been entirely baniſhed; but unfortunately for Scot-